Ladder.



M. BAUER.

LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 10, 1911.

' 1,015,123. Patented Jan. 16,1912. I

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Edi 1 WITNESSES: jNVZ/VTUE, WW jfi m. W 1. fl w 'oummm PL ANnurzAPn co., WASHINGTON. n. c.

r M. BAUER.

LADDER.

AYPLIGATION FILED 11112.10, 1911.

1,015,123, v Patented Jan. 16,1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

coLUMP-IA PLANOGRAPH co., \VASIHNGTON. n. c.

M. BAUER.

LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 10, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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Patented Jan. 16, 1912.

Wjkzvz'safiax UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN BAUER, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

LADDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 10, 1911.

Patented Jan. 16, 1912. Serial N 0. 607,867.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN BAUER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Guyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Ladders, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to extension ladders designed for use by painters and others.

Among the objects of the invention are the provision of means for holding two properly spaced supports enabling two men to work at the same time on different levels of a wall, these supports being adjustable up and down while preserving their relative spacing.

Another objectis to enable the supports to be conveniently folded for transportation and to be effectively held in place for use.

Another object is to provide means for spanning wide windows, bays, etc., by the support which rests against the wall.

Another object is to provide interchangeable engaging members for the diflerent uses to which my ladder may be put; and another provides for holding an additional extension when desired. In the present ladder I have also increased the general efliciency and adaptability of the device.

My invention consists of the means I employ in attaining these objects, or any of them, and is hereinafter more fully set out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my extension ladder, the lower n1ember being partly broken away and a portion of the upper member being broken out; Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross section on the line 22 of Fig. 1, illustrating the extension engagement; Fig. 3 is an edge view of the ladder folded and Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 5 is a detail of the catch for holding the scaffolds in their folded position; Fig. 6 is a perspective'view of the upper end of the extension showing the platform or scaffold carried thereby; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan at the inner end of one of the scaffold arms showing the device to reach across a wide window; Fig. 8 is a detail of the attachment for the extension to enable the holding of a further extension thereon.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 4., 10 represents the lower member of the ladder which is a complete ladder in itself, having side members and rungs 11. Along the inner faces of the side members are longitudinal grooves 12. In these grooves ride rollers 22 carried on the outer sides of the side member 20 of the extension ladder. This extension is also a complete ladder having rungs 21. The rollers 22 are secured to the side members 20, preferably by means of plates 23 fastened by screws to the side members and having outward studs on which the rollers are journaled. These plates are shown as being made slightly channel-shaped; that is, having projecting edges 24: adapted to overhang the front and back of the rails 20. Any suitable means may be employed for locking the extension and supporting ladders together in any desired position.

Secured to the two rails 20 of the extension, preferablynear the upper ends thereof, are brackets 30. These brackets are shown as lying on the inner face of the rails and extending onto the front and the rear of the rail. Intermediately, the bracket is shown as secured by a bolt 31. At the rear the bracket has a projecting car 32 and below this is a plate-like portion 33 lying on the rear and the inner face of the rail. Pivoted to the two ears 30 is a platform-support consisting of the angle bars 40 connected by boards 41 resting thereon and secured thereto. Pivoted to the depending portion of each angle bar 40 are bars 43, which are shown as secured together by a bridge bar braced by diagonals 45. At the lower ends of the bars 43 are shoes 46 pivotally connected with the bars and adapted to rest against the rear faces of the rails 20 and provided with cars 47 to overhang the sides .of the rails.

.from the brackets 30 by chains 48. These chains are connected at their lower ends to The shoes 46. are supported the shoes and at their upper ends hook over fhooks carried on the rear faces of the bracket extensions 33. The construction described makes not only a convenient platform, but a lateral support for the ladder, the rear end of the platform frame bearing against the wall or other portion of the building.

As shown in Fig. 6, there are two hooks jon each bracket 30, designated 35 and 36.

stands to the ladder proper. In ordinary use, the chain is hooked onto the upper hook 35, as illustrated in Fig. 6, and the ladder stands at such an angle that the platform is horizontal, as shown in Fig. 1. For conditions where there is not space enough for the ladder to stand at this angle, the chains are lowered onto the hooks 36, causing the platforms to project more nearly at a right angle to the ladder.

It should be noted that each of the hooks 35 and 36 is provided with two projecting prongs, one extending upwardly and the other downwardly. The uppermost chain link is hooked up over the upper prong. The purpose of the lower prong is to prevent the chain working off of the hook when the platforms are being extended, preparatory to putting the ladder in place. I have found that sometimes, at this stage, the diagonal supporting braces under the platforms would be inadvertently shoved toward the platform, causing the chain to pass off the hooks. I prevent this by the double prong, the lower prong overhanging the lower portion of the chain link and preventing its escaping from the hook when the chain is slackened.

I Secured to the rails 20, a suitable distance below the brackets 30, are a pair of corresponding brackets 50, and to these brackets is pivoted a platform frame 51 carrying boards 52 and braced by a diagonal frame 53 connected at its lower end to shoes 54 supported by chains 55 from the brackets 50, this construction being similar to that already described. The platforms supported by the brackets 30 and 50 are accordingly a definite distance apart.

I11 practice it has been found desirable to make the distance between the platforms substantially seven feet, so that a man working on the platform 42 can reach sufficiently to cause his work to join that of the man on the upper platform. hen I speak of men on the platforms, it is to be understood that frequently these ladders are used in pairs and planks are extended from the two platforms of one ladder to the corresponding platforms of the other, and, of course, the same condition is available when the workmen are on these planks.

I find it desirable to make a connection between the upper and lower platform at their rear, not only for purposes of folding and opening them, but for use by the workmen in taking hold of when the ladder is in place. Such connection consists of the rod 60, which stands at the rear of the ladder and parallel therewith, being secured at its upper end to the cross bar 61 and at its lower end to the cross bar 62, which two bars are journaled in the respective platform frames. These cross bars may conveniently be wooden rounds mounted at their fthe workman on the lower platform, giving him something to take hold of in moving 1 about to either side of that platform. Then ;it is desired to fold the ladder, the chains 48 and 55 are simply removed from their hooks and the two platform frames are swung inwardly against the extension, com- -ing into the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In this'position the rod 60 lies comparatively close to the rear of the ladder, as

shown in Fig. 3. A suitable hook engaging the rod in this position holds the platforms in their folded position.

I find that the hook to engage the rod 60 may very conveniently be carried by the front edge of the platform 52 itself. The hook is so shown in Figs. 3, t and 5 and designated 70. As shown in Fig. 5, the hook is pivotally mounted on a lever arm 71 which is pivoted at 73 to a plate 72 secured to the front edge of the front board 52. WVhen the lever 71 is turned backwardly, the hook is thrown a considerable distance away from the platform and may be easily passed over the rod 60. Then the return of the lever drawns the rod snugly against the upper edge of the plate 72. The parts are so proportioned that in this movement the lever may swing the pivot 74 of the hook beyond the plane between the axis of the rod 60 and the pivot 73 of the lever. After passing this point, a shoulder 7 5 of the plate 72 forms a stop and the resilience of the rod 60 prevents any inopportune displacement of the lever or hook. A suitable pull, however, on the end of the lever, easily releases the rod.

As heretofore referred to, the bars 40 of the upper platform are intended to bear at their inner ends against the wall and form a lateral support. I secure to these inner ends suitable devices for engagement with the wall, or other portion of the building, according to the character thereof. Thus, rigidly secured to each bar 40 is a block 80 having projecting from the upper portion of its rear end a prong 81 adapted to engage in the side wall. Projecting downwardly from the rearportion of this block, and some distance forward of the prong 81, is a suitable edge 82, which may conveniently engage the roof surface, if the bars overhang the roof. On the outer sides of the block 80 are serrations 83, and extending from such outer face is a bolt 84, Surrounding this bolt is another block 85 which clamped in position, so thatitmay receive the force of the ladder instead of the prong 81 or the edge 82.; This rubber-faced stop is very convenient for interior work where no marring of the wall is permissible.

dows or other openings, I secure to the'bars.

To enable the support to bridge wide win- 40, near their rear ends, a pair of lateral extensions 90. These extensions are preferably angle bars pivoted at 91 to the horizontal flanges of the bars 40 and have out-turned ends 92 provided with prongs 93. When these extension bars are in the position shown in Figs. 6 and 7 their rear edges abut suitable overhanging stops 88 on the blocks 80 secured to the platform bars. To fold the extension bars, they are swung around toward the rear three-quarters of a circle until they come over the bars 40. In passing to this position the extension bar slides across a slight bump 95 into engagement with a stop 94:, both of which may be formed on the ear 6% and which hold the bar against accidental displacement. Similarly, in passing to its extended position, the bar passes over a slight bump 89 on the block 80, which prevents the bar being inadvertently turned rearwardly.

To enable an additional extension to be carried, when desired, by the upper section of my ladder, I provide the inner side of each of the rails 20, near its upper end, with the device shown in Figs. 6 and 8. This device consists of an L-shaped plate or bar 97 adjustably held by a bolt 98 and adapted to lie idly along the inner face of the rail 20,

- as shown in Fig. 6 and in full lines in Fig.

8, or extend forwardly between the guiding lugs 99 into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8. The lugs 99 are carried by a plate 96. The bar 97 is slotted so that it may slide in and out between these lugs and a thumb nut is provided with a bolt for clamping the bar. In the outer position, these L-bars enable an ordinary ladder, indicated by broken lines 100, to be slidably held against the ladder 20, so that it may be shoved up to any point desired and held by the usual hooks engaging a rung of the ladder 20. By having the L-bars movable, as shown, they are not liable to be bent or broken in transportation, and furthermore, are out of the way in the ordinary use of my ladder.

It will be seen from the above description that, while my ladder is simple in construction, it nevertheless provides for a great Va riety of conditions met with in actual practice, while for transportation it may be quickly and easily folded into comparatively small compass.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In an extension ladder, the combination, with a supporting ladder, of an extension therefor and longitudinally adjustable therealong, and a pair of platforms secured to the extension at distant points, whereby such platforms will be maintained at a fixed distance from each other irrespective of their position with regard to said supporting ladder.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination, with a supporting member adapted to be set up in an inclined position ,adjacent to the wall of a building, of an extension therefor and longitudinally adjustable therealong, and a pair of platforms secured to said extension at distant points whereby said platforms will be maintained ,at a fixed distance from each other in all positions in which said extension may be placed, the vertical distance between said platforms being not less than the height of a man.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination, with a lower ladder section, of an upper ladder section extendably mounted thereon, a pair of platforms hinged to said upper ladder section, and rigid means pivotally connected with each of said platforms adjacent to their rear ends, said platforms being spaced apart not less than v the height of a man.

t. The combination of a ladder, a platform hinged to the rear side thereof, means for holding the platform projecting from the ladder, a pair of bars pivoted to the platform near its rear end, and means for holding said bars extended laterally from the platform or folded along the platform.

5. The combination of a ladder, a platform hinged to the rear side thereof, means for supporting said platform extended, means for enabling it to be folded against the ladder, a pair of bars carried by the platform, said bars being adapted to extend laterally in opposite directions, means for holding the bars when so extended, the bars being adapted to be folded inwardly over the platform.

6. The combination, with a ladder, of a platform projecting therefrom, a pair of extension bars pivoted to the platform, means for holding the bars extending laterally from the platform, said bars being adapted to be folded onto the platform, and means for preventing accidental displacement of the bars whether extended or folded.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination, with a ladder section, of

L-shaped bars carried by the inner faces of the side rails near the upper end of the ladder, and lugs carried by the side rails be tween which the bars may extend outwardly, whereby the bars may engage the extension or may be turned into idle position.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination, With the lower member and sliding member of an extension ladder, of 1 devices secured to the extension ladder and adapted to guide a further extension or be folded into idle position, said devices oomprising bars With overhanging ends, means for clamping the bars to the slde ralls, and

lugs carried by the side rails for holding 15 MARTIN BAUER.

in position Where outwardly Witnesses:

OLIVER M. KAPPLER, BRENNAN B. WEST.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents eaeh, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

vWashington, D. G. 

